Ju 87 Stuka Dive Bomber - World War II Vehicles Ceiling: 26,903 ft. Armament Guns: 2× 7.92 mm MG 17 machine gun forward, 1 × 7.92 mm MG 15 machine gun to rear Bombs: Standard load - 1 x 255 lb. bomb, 2 x 50 lb. bombs Ju 87 Stuka - Development: With the Nazi rise to power in 1933, Germany began to rearm. Among those weapons systems the new regime desired was an effective dive bomber. While this need was initially met by the Henschel HS-123, effort continued on other designs. At Junkers, designer Hermann Pohlmann worked on a new dive bomber drawing from the firm's earlier Ju K 47. These efforts were encouraged in 1935 when the German Air Ministry (Reichsluftfahrtministerium - RLM) issued specifications for a new dive bomber. While four firms entered the competition, two were immediately eliminated and the Junkers design squared off against the Heinkel He-118.

Powered by an imported Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine, Pohlmann's design was designated Ju 87 V1. While the prototype was built and Sweden and secretly brought to German in 1934, issues with the airframe delayed is completion until late 1935. An ungainly looking aircraft, the Ju 87 V1 possessed inverted gull wings and a braced tail with twin tailfins. Testing with the prototype moved forward but was soon halted when chief test pilot Willy Neuenhofen was killed in a crash on January 24, 1936 when the aircraft's tail section collapsed. Re-tooling the design, Junkers changed the tail design to a single vertical stabilizer. As the design progressed, the Ju 87 V1 met resistance from RLM who were unhappy with its use of an imported engine. To rectify this issue, plans were made to use the Jumo 210 instead. Though testing in early 1936 went well, some Luftwaffe officers felt the aircraft was underpowered and the program was threatened with cancellation.

Rescued by Colonel General Ernst Udet , a World War I ace and RLM officer, work continued. The following month, the Ju 87 V1 won the competition after Udet was forced to bail out of his He-118 prototype when the propeller broke apart in flight. Ju 87 Stuka - Design: Designated the Ju 87 Stuka (short for Sturzkampfflugzeug), the new dive bomber was an all-metal, cantilevered monoplane that featured spatted, fixed landing gear. Early models mounted two 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns in the wings with a single, rear-facing 7.92 mm MG 15 machine gun for the radio operator/gunner. Capable of diving at angles of 60-90°, the Stuka possessed an automatic dive recovery system that engaged when the bomb was released. This allowed the aircraft to safely terminate the dive if the pilot succumbed to g-induced blackout. Built largely of duralumin, the Ju 87 Stuka was constructed in such a way that large segments of the airframe were assembled as single units.

This allowed entire sections of the aircraft to be quickly replaced and decreased the time required for major repairs. In 1937, testing of the Ju 87 Stuka continued as several variants of the Jumo 210 were tried in an effort to increase power. As efforts to improve the aircraft continued, production on the Ju 87 A began at Dessau. As these rolled off the line, Junkers completed the design for an upgraded Ju 87 B. Ju 87 Stuka - Variants: The first mass-produced model, the Ju 87 B saw an upgrade to the Jumo 211D engine and addition of sirens mounted on the wings. These were intended to frighten the enemy as the aircraft attacked. Other improvements included redesigned landing gear. A Ju 87 C variant was also created for naval use, though it was only built in small numbers. As World War II progressed, Junkers continued to evolve the Stuka as no replacement was available. In 1941, production began on the Ju 87 D which had an enhanced engine, greater range, and better defensive armament.

Ju 87 Stuka - Operational History: The Ju 87 Stuka's combat debut came in 1937 with the German Condor Legion during Spanish Civil War. Initially flying the Ju 87 A, the Legion soon switched to the newer by Ju 87 B. During these operations, no aircraft were lost. Having learned invaluable lessons in Spain, Stuka crews were at the forefront of the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. Aiding in opening World War II, they flew precision strikes and were a key element of the German blitzkrieg. Relentlessly attacking enemy positions, the Ju 87 Stuka inspired fear and inflicted heavy losses. In 1940, the type continued to have success during the invasion of Norway and the campaigns in the Low Countries and France. Utilizing effective forward ground controllers, Stuka squadrons were able to provide fast, effective ground support to allow German forces to rapidly advance. In the course of these campaigns, the Ju 87 also proved itself as a deadly anti-shipping weapon. The Ju 87's run of success came to an abrupt halt during the Battle of Britain that summer.

Lacking air superiority, Ju 87 units began taking heavy losses as British Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires took advantage of its slow speed. As a result of these casualties, the Ju 87 Stuka was withdrawn from the battle in mid-August. No longer effective on the Western Front, the Stuka found new life flying in the Mediterranean where it continued to be effective against shipping. With the German offensives into the Balkans in early 1941, it reprised its role in blitzkrieg operations. This continued with the German victories in that Battles of Greece and Crete . Stuka units also aided Field Marshal Erwin Rommel 's Afrika Korps in North Africa participating in engagements such as the Battle of Gazala and Second Battle of El Alamein . With the arrival of American forces during Operation Torch in late 1942, the Stuka again became vulnerable and losses mounted. The Ju 87 Stuka's final heyday came with the invasion of the Soviet Union and the opening of the Eastern Front in June 1941. Flying at the leading edge of the German advance and possessing air superiority, the Stuka operated with impunity.

In this role it saw effective use at notable engagements such as the Battles of Stalingrad and Kursk. As Soviet armor became more numerous, a final variant of the Ju 87 was created. Dubbed the Ju 87 G, this model entered service in early 1943 and possessed enhanced armor and two 37 mm cannon for destroying Soviet tanks. A successful aircraft, this variant remained in use until the end of the war. As Soviet fighter opposition grew, Stuka units began taking heavy losses. Obsolete and with numbers dwindling, the Stuka began to be replaced in the final months of the war by ground attack variants of the Focke-Wulf 190 . Still in use at the war's end, over 6,500 Ju 87s were built during its production run. Selected Sources Ju 87 Stuka Dive Bomber | World War II Database World War II Database Contributor: C. Peter Chen ww2dbaseThe all-metal Ju 87 Stuka aircraft were the German Luftwaffe's primary dive bombers.

At first glance, they were crude-looking, but this feature reflected the principle behind the Ju 87 design, which stressed the ease of production and the ruggedness of the aircraft over other items on the wish list. Two unique characteristics made these aircraft stand out: first, the dive brakes, automatic pull-up systems, and the strengthened airframes ensured that the bomber maintained control during dives; then, the wind-powered sirens terrorized the enemy psychologically. "The Stuka was more than a bomber", said William Manchester, "it was also an instrument of fear." The enemy soldiers who stood opposite these bombers, morale melting away by the noise of the sirens, ran in fear as they believed the bombs were coming straight for them. ww2dbaseA typical Stuka attack began at the altitude of 13,000 feet, diving down at the target at the speed of about 300 miles per hour. About four seconds before the ideal altitude for releasing the bomb, a horn in the cockpit sounds off; when the horn stopped, the pilot released the bomb, and the automatic pull-up system would kick in to help the aircraft zoom-climb.

As the target area was now behind the aircraft, the rear gunner sprayed the area with machine gun fire, keeping the defenders' heads down to help ensure the success of the next Stuka dive bomber in line. ww2dbaseThe Ju 87 Stuka aircraft's fixed undercarriages provided sturdy platforms for takeoffs and landings on improvised airfields in the field. ww2dbase"One major disadvantage of the [Stuka] dive-bomber was that it could employ its steep diving mode of attack only if the cloud base was above 2,600 feet", recalled General Paul Deichmann in a report for the Western Allies after the war. ww2dbaseWhile they were among the key components of the successful Blitzkrieg campaign on continental Europe early in the war, they were not so effective during the Battle of Britain. They were excellent weapons against shipping in the English Channel and ground targets in Britain, but the lack of air superiority meant that their extremely slow speed made them easy targets for British fighters. The original variant of the design, A-1, had a top speed of under 200 miles per hour; nevertheless, the slow speed was not considered an issue as they were dive bombers and not fighters.

This design philosophy was also a reason why the original variant did not employ forward-firing armament, though this was changed in later variants. This weakness also hurt other aircraft in the German Luftwaffe arsenal, as escorting Bf 109 and Bf 110 fighters had to fly in zig-zag in order to maintain formation with Ju 87 Stuka aircraft, which led to a higher fuel consumption rate and making the fighters more vulnerable to being bounced by British fighters. ww2dbaseAfter the Battle of Britain, most of these dive bombers were relocated to the Eastern Front and the Mediterranean. Between 1936 and Aug 1944, more than 6,000 Stuka bombers were built. ww2dbaseBecause Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers performed so well as tactical bombers, this success became a curse as well. Ernst Udet, in charge of the technical department of the Luftwaffe, was so convinced in the capability of dive bombers that he requested all German bombers to be designed with dive bombing capability; this effectively removed any chance German had to develop an effective long-range bomber even if such an item made its way on the wish list of the Luftwaffe.

ww2dbaseSources: Alan Chanter says: 20 Nov 2007 11:51:42 AM On the first of September 1939 Ju87B-1s carried out the first combat mission of the Second World War. Just eleven minutes after the declaration of war between Germany and Poland, three Ju87B-1s took off to attack the Dirschau Bridge. For the campaign in Poland the Luftwaffe employed all nine of its Ju87 Gruppen-A total of 319 dive bombers. 2. Alan Chanter says: 20 Nov 2007 11:56:49 AM The Ju87A (See specifications above) had been withdrawn from front-line service by September 1939. Those still on the Luftwaffes inventory being passed to Stuka Training units. 3. Alan Chanter says: 26 Nov 2007 02:37:13 PM This, the first bombing raid of the war, was conducted by 3/St.

G.1 (St.G is an abbreviation of Stukageschwader Gruppe, or Dive-Bomber Group) and led by Captain Bruno Dilley. Their target was Polish defence positions near the Dirschau Bridge which was positioned on the major artery through the Danzig corridor. 4. matjan says: 15 Nov 2008 10:51:26 AM As with most warplanes in Europe the range was deplorably short, especially compared with similar Japanese planes 5. wayne7150 says: 29 Jun 2009 08:07:10 AM In his book "Stuka Pilot" Hans Ulrich Rudel states that there were no sirens on the Stuka. The noise was made by the diving brakes. He claims that the "sirens on the Stuka" were a myth and a misconception. As a a very decorated Luftwaffe flyer with lots of time spent in Stukas, he should know. Bye the way, has anyone ever seen a photograph of the supposed sirens on the Stuka? 6.

2 Jan 2010 07:11:38 PM Photograph of Regia Aeronautica Ju-87's in formation. Could be from one or two units The first: 208 Squdriglia, 97 Gurppo Autonomo Bombardamento a Tuffo, Gars-el Arid, Libya September 1941. 209 Squdriglia, 101 Gruppo Autonomo Bombardamento a Tuffo, Sicily 1941. This is the information I could get,from the photograph. If anyone has more info, post it on ww2db. 7. Anonymous says: 22 Feb 2010 08:49:23 PM I really like the Ju87-G2's design, but it coud have used: 1.machine guns for more self protecion(front fusalage), 2.better engines, 3.better boost systems(NO2), & 3.retactable landing gear. This applies to most Ju87's anyway. 8.

22 Aug 2010 12:39:21 PM Later models such as the Junkers Ju 87G carried two flak 18 37mm cannons under the wings. One of the most famous Stuka pilots of the war, was Geschwader-Kommodore of Stab/SG 2 Oberstleutnant Hans Ulrich Rudel he was 28 years old and a Colonel. 9. Guillaume says: 16 Mar 2011 04:32:34 PM @wayne7150 : You're right, I've red his book. According to some sources, the typical sound of the Stuka was actually an audio guide/warning for the pilot and gave him an indication of his speed while focused on his target. This feature was withdrawn quite early (maybe that's why Rudel says it didn't exist) because it also warned targets on the ground :-) 10. Someone says: 3 Jul 2012 08:40:01 AM @wayne7150: the siren was positioned below the cockpit 11.

Phil says: 29 Aug 2012 06:16:30 AM It would take over an hour for a fully loaded Stuka B to reach 13,000 feet. Those guys were really patient. Range is longer than I thought. 12. Inty says: 1 Jul 2014 10:14:21 PM Hi Wayne7150, the Stuka's Dive Siren's are mounted on the outer casing of the landing legs for each wheel. They are clearly visible, they look like a little propeller. There is a switch to the left of the pilots seat to activate the Siren. To my understanding they were only on the earlier B1 models Battle of Britain and Battle of Stalingrad had them equipped but not the Tropical B2, D1 - D3 had 37mm Cannons mounted on the landing legs where the Jericho trumpet used to be. All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.

Posting Your Comments on this Topic Your Name The Sirens of Death – 11 Amazing Facts About the Ju 87 Stuka | militaryhistorynow.com The Sirens of Death – 11 Amazing Facts About the Ju 87 Stuka “The Stuka was more than just a terror weapon – its ability to deliver bombs where needed with then unheard of precision made it a potent war machine.” Click above for GermanWarMachine.com’s e-book “Stuka Tank Busters ’43” By GermanWarMachine.com IT WOULD BE difficult to come up with a more potent symbol of the German Blitzkrieg of World War Two than the Ju 87 Sturzkampfflugzeug or “Stuka”. The notorious single-engine, two-man, dive-bomber’s iconic ‘gull wings’ and ‘spatted’ undercarriage are as unmistakable as the plane’s instantly recognizable wailing siren, dubbed the “Jericho Trumpet” ( ♬ LISTEN TO IT HERE ). But the Stuka was more than just a terror weapon – its ability to deliver bombs where needed with then unheard of precision made it a potent war machine that crippled the defenders of both Poland and France.

In fact, the Ju 87 was a critical contributor to Axis victory in a number of campaigns in the war’s opening years. In fact, it would soldier on in various roles long after the tide had turned against the Nazis. Here are 11 remarkable facts about this famous warplane. Stukas put the ‘lighting’ in Hitler’s Blitzkrieg. (Image source: German Federal Archive) 1. The Stuka concept was imported from the U.S.A. The Ju 87 was inspired by American dive-bombers like the Curtiss F8C (Image source: WikiCommons) Ernst Udet (Image source: WikiCommons) In 1931, Ernst Udet , the second-highest scoring German fighter ace of the First World War and future Luftwaffe architect, was in the United States to take part in a stunt flying display. During his trip, the 36-year-old fighter pilot witnessed a Curtiss F8C Helldiver make a simulated dive bombing attack at an air show. The spectacle made an impression on the visiting flier. After the Nazis rose to power, Udet became a champion of to concept of using dive bombing to support ground forces.

Udet even brought two U.S. dive bombers back to Germany (the Curtiss Hawk version of the Helldiver). The demonstrators played a key role in making dive bombing central to Luftwaffe doctrine. This in turn would help inform the development of the Stuka. 2. The first Stukas had twin tails A prototype Stuka. Note the twin-tail configuration. Early prototypes of the Stuka featured stabilizing double-fin tail-plane configurations yet weren’t fitted with dive brakes. In January 1936, one of Junkers’ most experienced test pilots was killed when his starboard tail-fin broke away. The pilot was unable to pull out of a dive and crashed. After this, Stukas were fitted with single tail fins and brakes. LOOK OUT BELOW: Stukas diving. (Image source: WikiCommons) 3. The Ju 87 first fought in Spain Stukas made their combat debut as part of the German contingent to the Spanish Civil War — the Condor Legion . They first flew in action in 1936 when a single experimental Ju 87 was secretly deployed to fight alongside nationalist forces. More would follow in the coming months.

In fact, Stukas would serve in limited numbers in support of Francisco Franco until early 1939. During that time, at least one was lost in action. Yet the Luftwaffe learned valuable lessons about the effectiveness of the Ju 87 as a dive-bomber from the deployment. 4. Dive-bombing is a tricky business CLICK TO ENLARGE (Image source: WikiCommons) Dive bombing was both physically taxing and intellectually demanding on pilots. Before a bombing run, Stuka crews were required to go through a dizzying checklist that included the following steps: ✔ Landing flaps at cruise position ✔ Elevator at cruise position ✔ Rudder trip at cruise position ✔ Contact altimeter ON ✔ Contact altimeter set to release altitude ✔ Supercharger set at automatic ✔ Cooler flaps closed ✔ Dive brakes open As soon as the dive brakes were activated, the Stuka’s nose would automatically turn down and the plane would begin its descent. The maximum dive-speed was 600 km/h (373 mph). Once the bombs were released, the contact altimeter warning would light. The pilot would toggle a knob on the control column that would trigger an automatic pull-out.

It was a handy feature that prevented the plane from ploughing into the ground — during recoveries, crew were subject to a black-out inducing force of some six Gs. 5. The Stuka ‘killed it’ in Poland German Stukas over Poland, 1939. (Image source: German Federal Archives) Ju 87s flew almost 6,000 sorties during “Case White” the German invasion of Poland . In that time, only 31 of the planes were lost (out of a total of 285 Nazi aircraft destroyed in the two-week campaign). For their part, Stukas decimated the opposition. “We came across throngs of Polish troops, against which our 100-lb fragmentation bombs were deadly,” one pilot recalled. “After that, we went almost down to the deck firing our machine guns. The confusion was indescribable.” 6. Deadly (and varied) payloads A Ju 87 attacks an Allied position in North Africa.

(Image source: Associated Press) Stuka squadrons that took part in the invasion of Western Europe in 1940 were outfitted with four main types of bombs: The heaviest was a 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) tank-busting panzerbombe cylindrische (PC) or armour-piercing weapon. The 500 kg (1,100 lb) spreng dickwand (SD) or high-explosive thick-cased bomb was effective against concrete fortifications. Then there was the spreng cylindrische (SC250) or general-purpose 250 kg (500 lb) bomb. And finally, planes might also carry a 50kg (110 lb) fragmentation weapon, the SC50. The most common load-out for a Stuka was a single SC250 beneath the fuselage and four SC50s under the wings. 7. The Stuka met its match over Britain STUKA HUNTERS — RAF Hurricanes and Spitfires made short work of the Ju 87 in 1940.

The British planes flew 100 mph faster and were far more agile than the dumpy dive bomber. (Image source: WikiCommons) During the early phase of the 1940 Battle of Britain , Stukas proved highly effective against Allied shipping in the English Channel. But it soon became evident that the dive-bombers were no match for British Hurricanes and Spitfires . The Stuka’s maximum speed was only a sluggish 242 mph, while its two wing-mounted MG-17 machine guns and its single rear-facing 7.92 mm weapon were woefully inadequate in the face of the heavily armed and maneuverable RAF fighters. In one day alone (Aug. 18), British planes shot down 18 Stukas. In fact, a total of 59 of the dive-bombers were destroyed in aerial combat during the summer of 1940. As expected, the Luftwaffe soon pulled its Ju 87s frontline service. 8. The Stuka got a new lease on life G-Model Stukas were equipped with massive anti-tank guns.

(Image source: German Federal Archives) Although the Ju 87 was fast becoming obsolete in the West, it wasn’t the end for the Stuka. In fact, an improved G-model came into use early in 1943 on the Eastern Front. Based on the earlier D-3 variant, this new version was armed with two under-slung 37-mm cannons . The Stuka’s old dive-bombing mission profiles gave way to tank busting tactics. Although the plane’s ‘heavy artillery’ couldn’t hope to penetrate the front armour of the Red Army’s T-34 , they could easily blast through the sides and back of any Soviet armoured vehicle. Stuka ace Hans Ulrich Rudel. (Image source: WikiCommons) 9. Meet the Stuka “aces” Hans-Ulrich Rudel was the most successful Ju 87 pilot of the war and was the lone recipient of Germany’s Knight’s Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. Ironically, the decorated ace was considered a lacklustre pilot earlier in his career. Yet Rudel claimed 519 tank “kills” while flying Ju 87s.

He also destroyed 150 artillery pieces, 70 landing craft, nine aircraft, four armoured trains, several bridges, a destroyer, two cruisers, and even the Soviet battleship Marat . In all, Rudel flew 2,530 sorties on the Eastern Front, and survived the loss of a leg (amputated below the knee) when he was shot down in February of 1945. He died in 1982 at 66. 10. Night Stukas Stukas in action, 1943. (Image source: German Federal Archives) As the Stuka became increasingly vulnerable to Allied fighters in daylight operations, the Luftwaffe created special Nachtschlachtgruppen (NSGr) or “Night Attack Groups”. After the Normandy landings, three NSGr operated in Western Europe. The aircraft, designated D-7 and D-8, were outfitted with eliminators to mask their exhausts, ultraviolet lighting behind the instrument panel and special night reflector sights or nachtrevi. The planes’ nocturnal tactics involved a lead plane dropping flares to illuminate a target while other Stukas swooped in for the attack. 11.

Stukas did the most damage at sea (Image source: German Federal Archives) Although most picture the Stuka screaming down onto enemy tanks, trucks and soldiers, it’s arguable that the plane’s greatest successes came when it was used against enemy shipping. During the Norwegian campaign for example, Ju 87 formations sunk two destroyers, crippled a pair of cruisers and posed a deadly threat to Royal Navy surface operations in the region. In the early stages of the Battle of Britain, the dive-bombers famously played havoc with British sea traffic in the English Channel. Indeed, the first Stuka pilot Knight’s Cross was awarded to Captain Paul-Werner Hozzel for successfully attacking shipping there. Later, in the Mediterranean, Ju 87s proved their worth, putting the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious out of action in January 1941. Finally, on the Eastern Front, Stukas dealt crippling blows to both the Soviet Black Sea and Baltic fleets. It was the skill of the pilots in dive-bombing tactics that made the Stuka so deadly against ships.

As British Admiral Andrew Cunningham put it, while observing the Ju 87 attacks on Illustrious: “We could not but admire the skill and precision of it all.” You can find out more about the Ju 87 STUKA in a “Rapid Read” eBook Stuka Tank Busters ’43 , available for £1.99 (or dollar equivalent) on Amazon and also on the German War Machine website: Edwin H Johnson 23 December, 2016 at 8:09 am the curtiss plane he brought back was the f8c falcon, the hawk wasn’t in service till after he returned to germany… World War II in Pictures: Stuka! World War II in Pictures World War II photos you probably haven't seen before Pages Whistling Death Ju 87 Stuka The Junkers Ju 87 or Stuka (from Sturzkampfflugzeug, "dive bomber") was a two-man (pilot and rear gunner) German ground-attack aircraft during World War II. The Stuka was a reliable workhorse, much like the Bf 110.

It was not fancy, though it it had unique stylistic attributes which enhanced its reputation as a deadly weapon, such as gull wings which made it resemble a bird of prey as it dove upon its victims, and screeching air horns. Designed by Hermann Pohlmann, the Stuka first flew in 1935 and at that time had very few peers as a dive bomber. German crew working on a Ju 87 Stuka aircraft, arming it, in the field. Russia, winter of 1943-1944. It shows signs of heavy use. (Doege, Federal Archive) The Stuka made its combat debut in 1936 as part of the Luftwaffe's Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. The Stuka was constantly upgraded throughout its lifespan, which only ended in May 1945. Stuka formation The Stuka served right up until the last days of the war. Aside from its experiences over England, where it was shot down in droves due to its slow speed and lack of agility, the Stuka was highly successful and highly feared.

Stuka releasing bombs When they dived, the Stuka would whistle because of two small propellers on the stalks of the wheels. Thus, they earned the nickname "whistling death." Tiger Tank Commander watches Stuka attack in distance. The Stuka was best when used in this sort of mobile-artillery role. The Stuka was the most effective ground-attack airplane of World War II. The Luftwaffe was designed before the war to serve a tactical, not strategic, function, and the Stuke was the ultimate tactical weapon. The Stuka was intended to help the troops advance by serving as highly mobile supporting artillery, and it did this effectively. Other roles were assigned to it as time went on, but infantry support was its primary role. During the days of the so-called 'Blitzkrieg,' this worked wonderfully. Stukas in full dive mode, sirens screeching Thus, the Junkers Ju 87 “Sturzkampfbomber,” or Stuka, was a feared weapon in Nazi Germany’s arsenal. It became a symbol of German aggression with its trademark siren, known as “Jericho trumpets,” blaring as the aircraft hurtled down to its target.

Stukas in anti-tank configuration and in classic markings on the Russian Front However, few survived the war. “The Stuka as an exhibit is incredibly important to us because there are hardly any left,” said Sebastian Bangert, spokesman for the Military History Museum in Berlin. Stuka destroyed at El Alamein November 1942 Flyover near Trouiville Stukas defined the 'sound' for dive-bombers forever after. The screaming roar of the planes as they dove toward Allied formations was terrifying. Der Adler (Eagle) was the Luftwaffe magazine that was published from 1939 to September 1944, in multiple editions available across the breadth of Nazi Europe. The German public seemed quite comfortable with the Stuka. In fact, the Stuka was even shown at times with anthropomorphic features, as in the 3 February 1942 Adler Magazine cover shown above, sort of like a Nazi Scooby Doo. The Stuka was the common soldier's best friend, the best way to clear opposition immediately ahead. It was reliable, like an old friend or faithful dog, ready to help out in even the most brutal winter conditions. Maintenance of a Junkers Ju - 87.

Beautiful shot of the Jumo 211 engine. The Stuka was made technically obsolete by the Focke-Wulf FW 190 and other, better dive-bombers. Late in the war, RAF and American pilots destroyed Stukas in droves in their Spitfires and P-51s whenever they came across one. However, while outmoded, the Stuka still performed well under proper circumstances, particularly in an anti-tank role. While the bulky airframe placed definitive limits on flight performance, as a bomb deliverer and cannon platform it was second to none. Stukas also filled a need because other, better aircraft such as the Focke Wulf 190 were needed in other roles, and could be used to provide fighter cover for the much slower Stukas. Thus, the Stuka remained in use until the very last day of the war, and was raining death on the advancing British and Russians alike in the closing days of the war. August 17, 1940, Stuka crashing over London While easily shot down, Stukas operated low to the ground and, in the hands of a skilled pilot, could be crash-landed without too much difficulty.

Thus, they were a "safe" mount. Some Stuka pilots survived literally dozens of crashes. One of the clearest lessons of World War II, and one which is forgotten, is that older technology that is more reliable and sturdier than fancy cutting edge systems is extremely valuable. The Stuka is a prime example. A nice crash landing, with no flip-over Stukas served on all fronts in all climes. They were hardy planes, reliable and tough. Stuka with arms and personnel Due to their design, Stukas had a tendency to flip over when landing or even taking off on rough ground. Note that, in the photo below, the pilot taking off did not even have a chance to release his bombs, and is extremely lucky (assuming that he survived, which from the looks of it is unlikely) that they did not go off. Note the two smaller bombs on each wing and the larger, central bomb. They appear to be a single SC 500 kg (1,100 lb) bomb under the fuselage and four SC 50 kg (110 lb) bombs under the wings, making this perhaps a Ju-87C.

We know this was a take-off attempt because he would have ditched the bombs before trying to land as a security precaution. Rare view of a full-armed Stuka upside down Stukas flying over the frozen lakes of Finland Below, Flak-Kanoniere of the 2. SS-Panzer-Division 'Das Reich' wave a flag to alert the Stuka pilots above them of their position at the frontline in the region of Belgorod, Russia. To the left, an Sd.Kfz. 10/5 carried the 2 cm FlaK 30. This was on 3 August 1943. German aircraft were still pre-eminent at this point, just after the Kursk operation, but not for much longer. Control of the skies in the East is generally assumed to have occurred during the battle of Kursk in July 1943, but it was more of a gradual process. Below, Stuka dive bombers, part of the famed Condor Legion, in flight above Spain on May 30, 1939, during the Spanish Civil War.

The black-and-white "X" on the tail and wings is Saint Andrew's Cross, the insignia of Franco's Nationalist Air Force. The Condor Legion was composed of volunteers from the German Army and Air Force. At this point, the Stuka was state-of-the-art. Below, HMS Gloucester under attack by Ju-87 Stukas. May, 1941. It is very tough to hit a moving ship with a bomb even with a dive bomber, something learned by all air forces of World War II. However, the Americans at Midway a year later certainly managed it. HMS Gloucester heeling hard over to avoid Stuka bombs Below, German Colonel General (later Field Marshal) Erhard Milch inspecting Luftwaffe pilots, Trondheim, Norway, 23 Apr 1940; note Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers in background. This was during the invasion of Norway, with the Battle of France only weeks away. Erhard Milch The Luftwaffe had an obsession with dive bomber capability that worked to its detriment. Below is a picture of the He-177.

The Heinkel He 177 Greif was called the "Flaming Coffin" or "Flaming Fireworks" by its pilots due to its serious engine problems, caused by the engines' odd configuration in their wing nacelles (two engines were placed in a series, one facing fore, one aft, on each wing, for a total of four engines in two nacelles. While ostensibly a "clever" design, this created serious cooling, tuning, vibrational and other problems.) A natural long-range bomber, the He177 was wrongly designated a dive bomber to perform a milder version of the Stuka role. The standing rule was that all German bombers had to be capable of tactical Army support in this fashion, which was ridiculous for a heavy bomber design. In common with most German bombers except the Stuka, the He 177 was grounded from the summer of 1944 on as Allied bombing crippled German fuel production and aircraft plants. German pilots were not displeased by the grounding. He-177 Greif The Ju 87 was an extremely versatile aircraft. It even was chosen to fly off the Graf Zepelin, the Kriegsmarine aircraft carrier that came close to completion.

This rare version had folding wings, but the carrier project was shelved due to the war situation. The Stuka could have been highly effective at sea. Hans-Ulrich Rudel Hans-Ulrich Rudel Hans-Ulrich Rudel was a Stuka dive-bomber pilot during World War II. The most highly decorated German serviceman of the war, Rudel flew an incredible 2,530 combat missions, claiming a total of 2,000 targets destroyed, including: 800 vehicles, 519 tanks, 150 artillery pieces, 70 landing craft, nine aircraft, 4 armored trains, several bridges, a destroyer, two cruisers, and the Soviet battleship Marat. Compare that with Allied pilots, who typically retired after 20 missions. Stukas armed with 37mm cannon, the tank-destroyer version Rudel flew Rudel flew some 2,530 combat missions and was shot down by ground fire 32 times, several times narrowly evading capture (which, since the Soviets had placed a bounty on his head, likely would have led to his being shot).

He was the most decorated serviceman of all the fighting arms of the German armed forces, and deserved it. Hans-Ulrich Rudel, commemorating a milestone Below, Rudel demonstrates how to attack a T-34 tank's rear engine compartment to destroy it. He was a tough man - he was injured numerous times and flew many missions wearing a plaster cast on his leg. Hans-Ulrich Rudel After spending eleven months in prisoner of war camps following the war, Rudel was released by the Americans. He moved to Argentina in 1948 but soon returned to Germany, where he served as a consultant to the Luftwaffe and became a successful businessman. He was revered by fellow servicemen long after the war, and Rudel died in Rosenheim in 1982. The legend, though, had one more chapter. Rudel received surreptitious full (and controversial) military honors at his funeral. It was just a "coincidence" that several modern Luftwaffe fighter jets overflew the service at just the right moment. At least, that is what the pilots claimed. Below is the tank-buster version of the Stuka, the Ju-87G, which was quite effective.

This was the type of equipment that Rudel used late in the war. The Ju 87 G-1 "Kanonenvogel" has twin Bordkanone BK 3,7, 37 mm underwing gun pods. It was the final variant of the aircraft and served on the Eastern Front with great effect. Tank destroyer version The Ju 87 earned its fierce reputation, and was one of the most effective aircraft of World War II. Ju-87G-2 Stuka retrofitted with two gun pods with 37mm anti-tank guns. 2014 WW2 German Ju-87 Stuka Dive-Bomber - YouTube WW2 German Ju-87 Stuka Dive-Bomber Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later.

Uploaded on Nov 2, 2010 Buy a Stuka T-Shirt from The War Years Now The Junkers Ju 87 or Stuka (from Sturzkampfflugzeug, "dive bomber") was a two-seat (pilot and rear gunner) German ground-attack aircraft. Designed by Hermann Pohlmann, the Stuka first flew in 1935 and made its combat debut in 1936 as part of the Luftwaffe's Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. The Stuka was very distinctive with its inverted gull wings, fixed spatted undercarriage and its chilling "Trumpets of Jericho" siren, becoming the propaganda symbol of German air power and the "Blitzkrieg" victories of 1939--1942. The Stuka's design included several innovative features, including automatic pull-up dive brakes under both wings to ensure that the aircraft recovered from its attack dive even if the pilot blacked out from the high acceleration and G force. Although sturdy, accurate, and very effective, the Ju 87 was vulnerable to enemy fighters.

Its flaws became apparent during the Battle of Britain; poor manoeuvrability, lack of speed and defensive armament meant that the Stuka required heavy fighter escort to operate effectively. The Stuka operated with further success after the Battle of Britain, and its potency as a precision ground-attack aircraft became valuable to German forces in the Balkans Campaign, the African and Mediterranean Theaters and the early stages of the Eastern Front campaigns where Allied fighter resistance was disorganised and in short supply. Once the Luftwaffe had lost air superiority on all fronts, the Ju 87 once again became an easy target for enemy fighter aircraft. In spite of this, because there was no better replacement, the type continued to be produced until 1944. By the end of the conflict, the Stuka had been largely replaced by ground-attack versions of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, but was still in use until the last days of the war. An estimated 6,500 Ju 87s of all versions were built between 1936 and August 1944. The War Years aims to bring real-world product designs vividly to life with Second World War historical content. Visit us today.

Category Junkers Ju 87 (StuKa - Sturzkampfflugzeug) - Dive Bomber / Close Air Support (CAS) Attack Aircraft - Specifications, History and Images 2 x 7.92mm forward-facing machine guns 2 x 7.92mm machine guns in rear-facing cockpit OPTIONAL: Maximum external bombload of up to 3,968 lb including conventional drop bombs under fuselage and wing hardpoints, 2 x 37mm underwing anti-tank cannons and anti-personnel munitions. Staff Writer (Updated: 4/4/2016): Before the Allies would gain air superiority over the skies of France and Germany, the Junkers Ju 87 "StuKa" dive bomber would reign supreme. The system, for a time, became the terror of both civilian and soldier alike, as the screaming howl of its "Jericho Trumpet" sirens filled the sky with a shriek before letting lose with the aircraft's payload. In essence, the dive bomber was, for the first time, being used to critical effect - an almost forecasting of the capabilities of today's direct-strike precision bombing.

The name "StuKa" comes from the longform "Sturzkampfflugzeug" which translates to "Drop-Down-Fight-Airplane". The Ju 87 grew out of five similar prototypes (V1 through V5) fitted with slightly different powerplants and airframes. The final of the four prototypes of the Ju 87 V1 series would end up as the official and initial production models for service with the German Luftwaffe. The system, among other weapons and tactics, would be utilized to stunning effectiveness with Germany's participation in the Spanish Civil War - these particular StuKas would be flown by the famed "Condor Legion" from 1938-1939. Once World War 2 had begun in September of 1939, the Stuka was a featured set piece for the German Luftwaffe in its conquest of Poland. The system earned its deadly reputation early on due to its precision strike abilities. Following the collapse of the Polish defenses, and the fall of Norway, the Low Countries and France, the stage was set for the "Battle of Britain" where Ju 87s continued in frontline service.

© Junkers 87 - History Learning Site Junkers 87 Citation: C N Trueman "Junkers 87" historylearningsite.co.uk. The History Learning Site, 21 Apr 2015. 16 Aug 2016. The Junkers 87 was better known as the Stuka dive-bomber. The Junkers 87 first saw action in the Blitzkrieg attack on Poland in September 1939. Against a poorly equipped enemy, the Junkers 87 did well with its pinpoint bombing accuracy. Against a more formidable opponent, such as the Spitfire and Hurricane during the Battle of Britain, it did not do as well. The Stuka got its nickname from the German word Sturzkampfflugzeug or dive-bomber. The idea for a dive-bomber first started in 1934. The first prototype was powered by a Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine but due to a design fault (a double rear fin), the plane crashed. The next prototypes had a Junkers Jumo 201A engine fitted.

The first plane that would be recognised as a Stuka flew in 1936 and the plane was blooded in the Spanish Civil War. When war broke out on September 1st 1939, the Luftwaffe had 336 Stuka dive-bombers available. In the initial phases of the war, the Stuka proved to be extremely effective at pin point bombing of a target. By diving nearly directly onto its target, the Ju 87 could all but guarantee a direct hit and its tell-tale gull-wings gave it this ability to dive at such a steep angle. Straight wings would have been ripped off by the sheer force put on them. However, this shape, so effective in Poland and Western Europe, was to be its downfall as it hindered its speed when confronted with faster opponents. In the Battle of Britain, the 255 mph (410 km/h) Stuka was no match for the Spitfire or Hurricane and suffered so many losses that it was withdrawn from campaigns in Western Europe for the rest of the war. It did make an initial impact on the radar bases right on the British southern coastline.

But once it had to venture further inland, its lack of speed and manoeuvrability showed up and many were shot down. When used in Operation Barbarossa, the Stuka had many successes – but again, it was up against an ineffective enemy. But by the time of the Russian advance in 1943, it was no match for the Stormaviks and other Russian fighter planes (including Hurricanes sent out in the Arctic convoys). For a short period of time, the Stuka proved a very successful tank buster on the Eastern Front but this version again fell victim to more advanced and faster Russian fighter planes. By the end of the war, more than 5,700 Stukas had been built.

Question: In World War Two, which aircraft company manufactured the Stuka?
Answer: Junkers